Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or Male impotence is the most dreaded and hated sexual health issue that men face. ED is when a man is unable to get an erection or keep an erection for a long time. Men all over the world face this problem of impotence but it usually occurs in men over the age of 40 years. Statistics suggest that 50% of men above the age of 40 years and 25% of men below the age of 40 suffer from ED. There are many reasons for men to suffer from this condition such as smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, hypertension, etc. Everything said and done, the main reason or the main cause of ED is the poor flow of blood to the penis which renders it flaccid. The major contributor towards ED is the action of the enzyme PDE5 which supresses the cGMP in the body responsible for good blood flow.
Causes of ED
There are mainly 3 major causes of ED in men viz. physical causes such as injury, diabetes, hypertension, high levels of cholesterol, obesity, etc. and psychological causes such as stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
Treatment Options for ED
The first and foremost thing that a doctor will try is to find the underlying health issues which the patient may be suffering from, which might be leading to Impotency. Depending on the severity and cause of ED and other underlying health issues the doctor will choose the best treatment option. The various treatment options for treating male impotence are:
1. Oral Medication
Oral medications are the most successful treatment option for treatment of ED. They include
• Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)
• Avanafil (Stendra)
All four medications work by inhibiting the action of PDE5 enzyme which in turn increases the Nitric oxide levels in the body. Increased Nitric Oxide levels in the body enhances the production of cGMP in the body which causes better or increased flow of blood to the penis due to dilation of the arteries and gives rise to a firm and rigid erection of the penis which lasts for a long time. Obviously, these medicines don’t ensure sexual stimulation. The man taking this medicine should be sexually stimulated for the drug to exhibit its action.
2. Other medications
• Alprostadil self-injection
In this method, an injection with the medication is injected at the base of the penis. Each injection has a dose which renders the penis to be erect for at least an hour. The pain due to injecting is minor as the needles are very fine. Examples. Papaverine, Alprostadil and phentolamine.
• Alprostadil urethral suppositories
In this method, a tiny suppository is inserted into the penis. A special applicator is also provided to install the suppository into the penis. Erection is obtained in 10 minutes which lasts between 30-40 minutes.
• Testosterone replacement
In men who suffer from ED due to low levels of testosterone are usually recommended to undergo testosterone replacement therapy.
3. Penis pumps, implants and surgery
When medicines do not show any improvement in the condition, your doctor might suggest you to consider other options.
• Penis pumps
A penis pump is a hollow tube with a hand powered or battery powered pump. This tube is placed over the penis and the pump is used to suck out all the air creating a vacuum which pulls the blood to the penis ensuring erection.
• Penis implants
In this method devices are placed on both sides of the penis surgically. These pumps are normally inflatable which leads to erection.
• Surgery
Surgery is the last resort in case nothing is helping a person to be able to get an erection.
4. Other methods
• Exercise
• Psychological counselling
• Alternative medicine
Causes of ED
There are mainly 3 major causes of ED in men viz. physical causes such as injury, diabetes, hypertension, high levels of cholesterol, obesity, etc. and psychological causes such as stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
Treatment Options for ED
The first and foremost thing that a doctor will try is to find the underlying health issues which the patient may be suffering from, which might be leading to Impotency. Depending on the severity and cause of ED and other underlying health issues the doctor will choose the best treatment option. The various treatment options for treating male impotence are:
1. Oral Medication
Oral medications are the most successful treatment option for treatment of ED. They include
• Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)
• Avanafil (Stendra)
All four medications work by inhibiting the action of PDE5 enzyme which in turn increases the Nitric oxide levels in the body. Increased Nitric Oxide levels in the body enhances the production of cGMP in the body which causes better or increased flow of blood to the penis due to dilation of the arteries and gives rise to a firm and rigid erection of the penis which lasts for a long time. Obviously, these medicines don’t ensure sexual stimulation. The man taking this medicine should be sexually stimulated for the drug to exhibit its action.
2. Other medications
• Alprostadil self-injection
In this method, an injection with the medication is injected at the base of the penis. Each injection has a dose which renders the penis to be erect for at least an hour. The pain due to injecting is minor as the needles are very fine. Examples. Papaverine, Alprostadil and phentolamine.
• Alprostadil urethral suppositories
In this method, a tiny suppository is inserted into the penis. A special applicator is also provided to install the suppository into the penis. Erection is obtained in 10 minutes which lasts between 30-40 minutes.
• Testosterone replacement
In men who suffer from ED due to low levels of testosterone are usually recommended to undergo testosterone replacement therapy.
3. Penis pumps, implants and surgery
When medicines do not show any improvement in the condition, your doctor might suggest you to consider other options.
• Penis pumps
A penis pump is a hollow tube with a hand powered or battery powered pump. This tube is placed over the penis and the pump is used to suck out all the air creating a vacuum which pulls the blood to the penis ensuring erection.
• Penis implants
In this method devices are placed on both sides of the penis surgically. These pumps are normally inflatable which leads to erection.
• Surgery
Surgery is the last resort in case nothing is helping a person to be able to get an erection.
4. Other methods
• Exercise
• Psychological counselling
• Alternative medicine
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